FA to study tackle footage

Monday 18 March 2013 14:30 BST

Massadio Haidara was carried off on a stretcher following Callum McManaman's challenge

The Football Association will study all the available TV footage of Wigan forward Callum McManaman's challenge on Newcastle's Massadio Haidara before deciding if retrospective action can be brought against the 21-year-old.

FA disciplinary officials are also waiting for the report of referee Mark Halsey before making a decision. Usually, on-the-ball incidents cannot be dealt with retrospectively as it is seen as challenging the opinion of the referee.

If however, Halsey reports he did not see the studs-up lunge by McManaman because he was unsighted then there is the possibility the Wigan player could be charged.

Haidara suffered potential knee ligament damage and the incident resulted in Newcastle assistant manager John Carver and Wigan coach Graham Barrow being sent to the stands after a melee developed at the end of the first half.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew claimed Halsey had said he had not seen the incident.

"He (Halsey) said 'if I've missed it I apologise' - that was at half-time," said Pardew.

"It is an awful challenge. The pictures speak for themselves. I thought it was a bad challenge and I was 60 yards from the incident."